Page 29 of Damnation
“Let the record show that I, William Stroughton, Chief Justice of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, hereby appointed by Governor Phips, declare the commencement of this trial against one Sarah Good,” the man in the middle speaks.
“Mrs. Good, how do you plead?” Corwin asks.
“Plead?” I question.
“Art thou guilty or nay?” an older gentleman to the left, who looks particularly unpleasant, snaps.
I shake my head. “Nay!”
“So you are denying that you are indeed not a witch? Thou did not afflict a total of three young girls? That you have not been poisoning the town of Salem through various tonics and tinctures?”
Three? I thought it was just Abigail and Betty that accused me of so? There are more? What for? What have I done to deserve such?
“Nay!” I say with a shake of my head. “I am not what you speak. I have never afflicted nor poisoned a soul in my life.”
“LIAR!” Reverend Parris hisses from behind me.
I turn to look at him, only to find Reverend Noyes attempting to settle him, though he does so while delivering me a chilling glare in return.
“Let her spew her lies, shall deliver her a sooner hanging,” Hathorne says with a shrug.
“So be it,” the Chief Justice speaks.
For the next several hours, I am asked countless questions, all of which I answer truthfully to. I do not have a love for the Devil. I do not work for him. I love God, and I have never hurt another. All answers they do not believe and grow angrier with each word.
Finally, they decide to end the trial for the day, rescheduling me to return at a later date, as they must move to the next, I suppose. Turning to move out of the courthouse, my eyes meet Thomas’s, and he does not look away this time. I do. He is not who I thought he was, not the man he claims to be. He is weak, craven, and I do not wish to waste another minute upon him.
After being led to the horses, Hutchinson mounts his and begins to walk with me as another man on his horse comes riding alongside us.
“Good day, gentlemen. I was sent to journey towards Ipswich and fetch Osborne for questioning,” Thomas says.
“We have more than enough capability, Putnam,” Lewis scoffs.
“I have no doubt of that, but I shall follow all the same,” he says before looking down at me.
“Good, get up onto the horse.”
“Her feet work just as well,” Hutchinson argues.
Thomas narrows his eyes at him as he speaks.
“Do we share an issue, Joseph? Is it time already for myself to collect upon the loan I had lent you?”
He squirms in the seat of his saddle as he looks at Thomas, shaking his head.
“No. My apologies. Do with the witch as you please,” he says, tossing the chain to Thomas.
He winds it into his arms before extending a free one to me. I stare as if ‘tis a snake ready to attack. His patience thins as he rolls his eyes and snaps.
“Now!”
I startle at the harshness of his words before mounting the horse and swinging my leg over. It takes some balance and adjustment before I am seated in front of Thomas due to my growing belly. He doesn’t waste a moment to move his mouth close to my ear, whispering words only meant for us two as the others continue on their way.
“I’m so sorry.”
I do not acknowledge his words, instead focusing on the road before me.
“Sarah, please,” he whispers again.
